Regulator for flow of material from a hopper



April 17, 1951 M. H. PEARSON 2,549,126

REGULATOR FOR FLOW 0F MATERIAL FROM A HOPPER Filed Jan. 25, 1950 m, 5 WW J%NTOR.

Patented Apr. 17, 1951 OFFICE REGULATOR FOR FLOW F MATERIAL FROM A HOPPER Marcus H. Pearson, Springville, Ala. Application January 25, 1950, Serial N 0. 140,518

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a regulator for flow of material from a hopper, and is especially intended for use on the type of hopper employed for spreading fertilizer and the like. However, the control mechanism may be used on any type of hopper where it is desired to easily regulate the flow of material therefrom. The main objects of the device are to provide a structure with non-slip friction holding means, lever control without stopping use of the hopper, adjustment without a ratchet or Wrench, locking in a fixed position without a tool, highly emcient for its purpose, very simple in design, cheap to manufacture, adapted for attachment to cultivating and other hoppers now in use, extremely durable and eas to operate.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the drawing and description.

The present invention is an improvement over a device for the same purpose as shown and described in my co-pendin application filed April 15, 1949, under Serial Number 87,767.

By referring generally to the drawing, part of this application, it will be observed that Fig. l is a rear view of a cultivating type hopper assembly with the present flow regulator attached to a wall of the hopper; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1 and showing the regulator handle in full and broken lines; Fig. 3 is a detail view of the regulator assembly; Fig. 4 is a side view substantially of Fig. 3 and showing the operating handle and connecting bar in full and broken lines to indicate positions thereof; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view, part full and part in section, showing the friction means for holdin the regulator slidable shutter in any desired position adjacent the flow opening of the hopper.

the assembly moving the handle lever upward or downward to thus move the shutter that is positioned between the panel of the hopper and the fabric washer and there held by adjustment of the wing nut to retain it retardatory slidable. When desired the wing nut may be set up tight to thus retain the shutter in a predetermined fixed Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing in detail it will be seen that the flow regulator device comprises an operating handle bar I swingably attached at one end to a bracket 2 on a wall Or panel 3 of the hopper. A bar 4 is swingably attached by one end thereof to the handle bar I as at 5 with its other end attached to the upper portion of a fiat metal shutter E. A bolt 7 is inserted through the panel 3, a slot 8 in the shutter 6, a fabric washer 9, a metal washer ill with an integral hub portion H, a coil spring l2, a second metal washer l3 with integral hub I4, and a wing nut l5.

From the foregoing it will appear that the shutter positioned in the discharge trough of the hopper is adapted for easy control with reference to the flow of any material by an operator of position to thus accommodate the flow of material to coordinate with the job sought to be accomplished.

The various parts of the regulator may be made of any material suitable for the purpose, but I prefer to use metal for all parts except the friction washer which should be comparatively thick and made of rubber and fibers or similar material. Also, the regulator may be made in different sizes and capacities to accommodate various sizes and types of hoppers; also may be attached in perpendicular or horizontal positional for use depending on the design of the hopper.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to limit same to the exact and precise details of structure, but reserve the right to make all modifications and changes so long as they remain within the scope of the invention and the following claims.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. In a flow of material regulator for use in combination with a hopper of the character described comprising; a metal bar lever as a handle, a panel as part of a hopper, said handle bar being pivotally attached to said panel, a second metal bar, one end of said second bar being pivotally attached to said handle bar, a fiat metal plate positioned adjacent the face of saidpanel and slidable thereon, said plate having an elongated slot in its center portion, the other end of said second metal bar attached to one end of said plate and in line with the said slot in the plate; a bolt inserted through said panel and the slot in the said plate, a comparatively thick fabric Washer upon said bolt and in contact with one face of said plate, a metal washer having an integral raised hub portion and upon said bolt and in contact with said fabric washer, a coil-type metal spring mounted upon said bolt with one.

end thereof in contact with said metal washer, a second metal washer having an integral raised hub portion and upon said bolt and in contact with the other end of said coil-type spring, a wing-type nut upon the threaded portion of said bolt.

2. In a flow of material regulator for use in combination with a hopper of the character described comprising; a metal bar lever as a handle, a panel as part of a hopper, said handle bar being pivotally attached to said panel, a second metal bar one end of said second bar being pivotally attached to said handle bar, a flat metal plate as a hopper shutter positioned adjacent the face of said panel and slidable thereon, said plate having an elongated slot in its center portion, the other end of said second metal bar attached to one end of said plate and in line with the said slot in the plate; a bolt inserted through said panel and the slot in the said plate, a comparatively thick fabric washer upon said bolt and in contact with one face of said plate, a metal washer having an integral raised hub portion and upon said bolt and in contact with said fabric washer, a coil-type metal spring mounted upon said bolt with one end thereof in contact with "4 said metal washer, a second metal washer having an integral raised hub portion and upon said bolt and in contact with the other end of said coil- I type spring, a wing-type nut upon the threaded 5 portion of said bolt.

MAEcUs H. PEARSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

